Amy ScattergoodLeading up to this year's Best of L.A. issue (due out Oct. 4), we'll be counting down, in no particular order, 100 of our favorite dishes.
49: The Dodger Dog at Dodger Stadium.
Are Dodger Dogs the best hot dogs in L.A.? Um, no. Not even remotely close. But often the success of a dish depends more on context than on the specifics of the dish itself. Such is the case with the Dodger Dog, even more so in September, with the team in the thick of the pennant race, when the voice of Vin Scully can create such an overwhelming feeling of happiness and nostalgia that even a mediocre hot dog tastes sublime.
Yes, the Dodgers blew yesterday's game after 12 innings of anesthetizing heat. But instead of focusing on that, or on Clayton Kershaw's hip, or on certain recurrent nightmares featuring Bobby Valentine, let us concentrate instead on the optimism of new ownership and the fact that the playoffs are still vaguely possible. Go to a game (although please do this at night, when the sun doesn't make Chavez Ravine feel like Death Valley), get a hot dog and a beer and shout nice things at Matt Kemp.
Because if you get in the proper spirit, there are few things as pleasant as the snap of a Farmer John hot dog, the punch of mustard and relish and onions, the crinkle of that silver-and-blue paper they wrap the whole thing in. Yeah, yeah, you may think fondly of Pink's or Fab Hot Dogs or not a few others out there in the left field bleachers — but you'd be missing the point.
Matt Kemp in the outfield; Credit: A. Scattergood
Check out the rest of our 100 of our favorite dishes. Suggestion? Write us a comment.
100: Lukshon's Dan Dan Noodles
99: Cemita de Milanesa at Cemitas Poblanos Elviritas #1
98: Chichen Itza's Cochinita Pibil
96: La Cevicheria's Bloody Clam Ceviche
94: Peruvian Chicken at Pollo a la Brasa
93: Squash Blossom Quesadilla at Antojitos Carmen
92: Thai Boat Noodles at Pa-Ord
90: Furikake Kettle Corn at A-Frame
89: Live Santa Barbara Spot Prawns at Providence
88: Fried Pig Tails at Night + Market
87: Egg Salad Sandwich at Euro Pane
85: Truffle Honey-Laced Fried Chicken at Manhattan Beach Post
84: Mool Naeng Myun at Yu Chic Naeng Myun
83: Chicken Vampiro at Mexicali Taco & Co
81: White Anchovy, Tomato and Fresno Chile Pizza at Pizzeria Mozza
80: Shu Mai at Elite Restaurant
79: Tandoori Chicken at Al-Watan
78: Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding at The Hungry Cat
77: Agedashi Tofu at Izakaya Bincho
74: The Sea Urchin Tostada at La Guerrerense
73: Wood-Roasted English Peas at Tar & Roses
72: Persian Mulberries at Weiser Family Farms
71: Hunan-Style Preserved Pork with Tofu at Hunan Chilli King
70: Brisket Banh Mi at Gjelina Take Away
69: Yukhwe Bibimbap at Oo-Kook Korean BBQ
68: Lamb Pie at Beijing Pie House
67: Son of a Gun's Uni and Burrata
66: Pastrami Reuben at Art's Delicatessen
65: Beef Koobideh at Kabab Mahaleh
64: The Whipper Burger at Hawkins House of Burgers
63: Slippery Shrimp at Yang Chow
62: Whole Channel Island Red Sea Urchin at Water Grill
61: Going Dutch Panini at Bread Lounge
60: Huckleberry's Green Eggs & Ham
59: Pickled Watermelon Salad at L&E Oyster Bar
58: Spaghettini with Abalone, Pickled Cod Roe and Truffles at n/naka
57: Brown Brown Bread Ice Cream at Scoops Westside
56: Smothered Chicken at R and R Soul Food
53: The Sycamore Kitchen's Double BLT-A Sandwich
52: House Wonton Soup at China Café
51: Almond Croissant at Proof Bakery
50: The Southern Fry at Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
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